Azamara Cruises is offering onboard wine qualifications, allowing guests to earn a WSET Level 1 Award in Wines while cruising.
The small-ship cruise line said the launch is a high-value, pre-bookable upsell for food and wine-focused clients, particularly on wine-region itineraries.
Azamara has partnered with American Wine School to roll out the programme on selected sailings from December 2026, starting on Azamara Quest’s ‘Panama Canal Holiday & New Year’s Eve Cruise’ departing on 18 December, followed by Azamara Journey’s ‘South America Cruise’ from 10 March 2027.
Priced at $275 per guest, the course offers a 20–30% saving compared to similar land-based programmes, it said, and is limited to 24 guests per sailing.
It includes tuition by American Wine School Founder Marianne Frantz, an Advanced Sommelier with more than 20 years’ experience in wine education, as well as tastings and the opportunity to sit the official exam onboard.
Non-participating guests will also benefit from tastings and pairing sessions with Marianne.
Azamara Cruises Corporate Director, Food & Beverage Operations Wayne Fannon said: “At Azamara Cruises, we believe destination immersion is about understanding a place as much as seeing it, and food and wine are among the most meaningful ways to connect with a culture.
“Through our onboard enrichment experiences, we are continuing to introduce experiences that make the journey itself richer and more rewarding. Our partnership with American Wine School gives guests a unique opportunity to deepen their appreciation of wine while travelling the world and even return home with an internationally recognized qualification inspired by their time with us.”
